News and commentary about the reigning royal houses of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Spain, Monaco -- and the former European monarchies as well.

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Friday, January 31, 2014

A "very sad" Prince Laurent of Belgium commented today on the absence of his wife, Princess Claire. The princess has not been seen in public for more than seven weeks.

Prince Laurent was asked if Princess Claire was ill. He said: "She is not joining me."

Only two weeks ago, on the occasion of Princess Claire's 40th birthday, Prince Laurent spoke publicly about how much he loves her, the wonderful children they have together, and "every day is a blessing to live and share with her."

Prince Laurent made his comments while visiting an art exhibit. Princess Claire was last seen in public on December 11 at a Christmas concert at the Royal Palace.

Two weeks later, it appears that the love may have cooled. It is obvious that Prince Laurent is suffering emotional stress.

Prince Laurent married the British-born Claire Coombs in 2003. They have three children: Princess Louise, 9, and eight-year-old twins, Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric.

Marlene A Eilers Koenig Collection

The Palace has not commented on the rumors of a separation between Prince Laurent and Princess Claire.

Belgrade, 30 January 2014 – The clergy Oplenac Church served
a requiem today for 21st Anniversary of death of Her Majesty Queen Alexandra.

Wreaths were laid at the tomb of HM Queen Alexandra after
the service. On behalf of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II, son of
HM Queen Alexandra and HM King Peter II, wreath was laid by Mr Predrag
Markovic, member of the Crown Council.

Queen Alexandra was the daughter of HM King Alexander of the
Hellenes and HRH Princess Aspasia of Greece and Denmark (née Aspasia Manos).
Queen Alexandra was born in Athens Greece on 25 March 1921 and died on 30
January 1993 in East Sussex England. The Queen was educated at Westfield, the
junior school of Heathfield, then she went to Heathfield. Following schooling
in England, Queen Alexandra went to Mademoiselle Ozanne in Paris.

Queen Alexandra met HM King Peter II of Yugoslavia in London
in 1942 and they have married in March 1944, and their son HRH Crown Prince
Alexander was born in London on 17 July 1945.

The Queen was buried at Tatoi Palace Royal Cemetery near
Athens and her remains were transferred to Royal Family Mausoleum at Oplenac in
Serbia and reburied on Sunday 26 May 2013 during State funeral together with
her husband, HM King Peter II, her mother-in-law HM Queen Maria and her
brother-in-law HRH Prince Andrej.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Princess Irene, second daughter of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, has become a Roman Catholic, according to an announcement made today by the palace.

The New York Times reports that the "disclosure of Princess Irene's decision caused a sensation" in the Netherlands, where "the House of Orange, which has reigned for more than three centuries, is traditionally Protestant."

The 24-year-old Princess is second in line to the Dutch throne after her sister, Crown Princess Beatrix. She was until recently a member of the Dutch reformed church, as are "other members of the royal family."

In a statement released by Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard, said that "after long consideration the Princess had concluded she preferred Catholicism."

Although the date of her conversion was not announced, it is understood to have taken place last September.

This announcement has given "new impetus to Dutch press reports" that Princess Irene, currently on vacation in Spain, is about to announce her engagement to to a 25-year-old Spanish nobleman Don Juan Bosco Alvear, a Roman Catholic.

The reports have been "denied" by the Princess and by Don Juan's family.

The Dutch constitution "bars a prince or princess from succession" if he or she "marries without the approval of both houses of Parliament."

Former Queen Helen of Romania "personally accompanied Prince Michael" when they left Florence by automobile planning to return to Romania by Sunday, reports the Associated Press.

This has led to new rumors about a reconciliation between King Carol II and his former wife. Princess Helen was "silent on the matter" and it is not known if she "intends to go all the way to Bucharest."

Crown Prince Michael has been visiting his mother in Florence for the last month.

Princess Charlotte of Monaco and her husband, Prince Pierre, have arrived in Baltimore, and are the guests of Mrs. John W. Garrett, at her home, Evergreen, reports the New York Times.

They are in Baltimore for "a rest after a round of social affairs in New York."

Princess Charlotte is the only child of the Prince Louis, the sovereign of the tiny principality. She and her husband are expected to leave for Washington, D.C., tomorrow, where they will be "entertained by Senator and Mrs. William Cabell Bruce.

Heinrich xxiv, Hereditary Prince Reuss (Elder Line) with his sisters, Princesses Emma, Marie, Karoline, Hermine and Ida. They were the children of Heinrich XXII, Prince Reuss zu Greiz (1846-1902) and Princess Ida of Schaumburg-Lippe (1852-1891). The Princess Reuss died three weeks after giving birth to her youngest daughter.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Gebhard Lebrecht, Prince Blücher von Wahlstatt, "a well-known German nobleman and a descendant of the Prussian hero of Waterloo," recently became the brother-in-law of his own son, reports the New York Times.

In January 1913, Count Lothar Blücher von Wahlstatt, married Princess Ludowika Radziwill, who is the elder sister of his stepmother, Princess Wanda Radziwill, whom his father married in 1895 at St. Petersburg.

Count Lothar is the Prince's son by his second marriage.

It is a very complicated relationship. Not only is Count Lothar his father's brother-in-law, "he is also the uncle of his younger siblings, and as the husband of his aunt, he becomes his own uncle."

If Count Lothar and his wife have a child, he will become "the latter's great-uncle and also his cousin."

Prince Blücher, who was born in 1836, has been married three times. He has five children, Countess Marie Ferdinandine, Countess Karoline,Count Gebhard, Count Gustav and Count Ferdinand, by his first wife, Princess Marie von Lobkowicz, who died in 1870. His second wife was Countess Elisabeth von Perponcher-Sedlnitzky, whom he married in 1889. They had two children: Count Lothar and Countess Gebhardine.

Elisabeth died in March 1894. A year later, Prince Blücher married Princess Wanda Radziwill, who was born in 1877. They have three young children, Countess Elisabeth, Countess Wanda and Count Hubert.

Yes, I am going to admit it: I turn the BIG 6-0 in June. Not that I have a choice about this. Of course, I want to go to London in late May, but the airfares from Washington, D.C., are absolutely way too high: at least $1300 with my AARP discount.

I have tried a myriad of airline fare search engines but the fares ... I cannot believe how high they are (blame it on all the fees.)

It will be years before I can earn a trip with enough airline miles. Depressing to say the least.

Monday, January 27, 2014

ACT OF FAMILY RECONCILIATION OF THE HOUSE AND DYNASTY OF BOURBON-TWO SICILIES

ON THE ONE PART HRH Prince Don Carlo of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, and his Consort HRH Princess Donna Camilla, Duchess of Castro, both on their own behalf and in personal and dynastic representation, and on behalf of their daughters HRH Princess Donna Maria Carolina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Palermo and HRH Princess Donna Chiara of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duchess of Capri.

AND ON THE OTHER PART HRH Prince Don Pedro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Noto, on his own behalf and on behalf of His Father HRH Prince Don Carlos of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Calabria, Infante of Spain, by whom he has been expressly delegated to complete this RECONCILIATION, together with his spouse HRH Princess Dona Sofia, Duchess of Noto, and their son HRH Prince Don Jaime of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Capua.

BOTH PARTIES, animated by a desire for family and dynastic rapprochement and reconciliation between the two branches of the Royal House of Bourbon - Two Sicilies, which, due to historical circumstances, misunderstandings and misconceptions by family members, has been for many years the subject of disputes both personal and among its supporters:

BEING AWARE that the divisions and disputes between the two branches produced nothing except greater division and loss of prestige for the dynasty, aside from the good example of family harmony that is expected from such a distinguished Royal House.

UNDERSTANDING that on the one hand in accord with the times and because the judgment of history requires them to leave evidence of a good example and harmony and on the other hand because the division between the Constantinian knights and dames militating within the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George is harmful to the Order and its aims .

BOTH SIDES BEING AWARE of the continuous efforts of our recent Popes and, in particular, of our present Holy Father, Pope Francis, in favour of the re- evangelization of Europe and of the unity of all Christians

DECLARING their common desire for reconciliation, as a family and as Constantinians of both branches and to put an end to the rivalries and misunderstandings between family members and their supporters , in a renewed Constantinian and Catholic spirit of service to the Holy Church and spreading our Holy Faith.

CONFIDENT on the part of both that Divine Providence is charged with indicating the way to dynastic unity of the Royal House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies

AGREEING that both parties shall in the meanwhile put all their efforts to a dynastic and family commitment towards achieving a spirit of harmony and understanding not only between themselves but also between their followers and supporters , RECOGNISING RESPECTIVELY AS COUSINS THE TREATMENT AND TITLES PRESENTLY USED BY BOTH PARTIES AND THEIR DESCENDANTS, ACTING PUBLICLY TOGETHER AS A SINGLE FAMILY .

And in good faith and family concord to invite to join in this ACT OF RECONCILIATION all the members of the dynasty of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, to whom both parties will make known this private ACT OF RECONCILAITION

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Including Prince Jaime, Duke of Capua,
Casimiro his wife , and sons, Pss Teresa and her daughter and Beatrice,
Princess Napoleon and Princesses Maria Carolina and Maria Chiara, Duchesses of
Palermo and Capri. Princess Ines (without her husband who was
looking after their daughters) and Archduchess Maria and Archduke Simeon were
delayed by travel problems but attended the dinner at the Circolo dell'Unione
offered by the Duke of Capua, afterwards as did Dom Duarte, Duke of
Braganza, and Princess Maria Gabriella of Savoy.

The Duke and Duchess of Castro and the Duke and Duchess of Noto

The Duke of Noto, Duchess of Castro, Duchess of Calabria and Duke of Castro

The actual signing took place at 6:15 pm.

Please do not lift, steal, use these photos. They are copyrighted and no one else has the rights to use them without the permission of the copyright holder.

Friday, January 24, 2014

January 25, 2014 [Exclusive to Royal Musings, the first English-language source to report this story]

A historic reconciliation took place yesterday (Friday) in Naples, Italy, between rival branches of the former reigning royal house of Bourbon-Two-Sicilies, a division that began with a marriage.

Yesterday (January 24) in Naples, the day before the ceremony of Beatification of the Venerable Servant of God Maria Cristina of Savoy(mother of Francisco II, and much loved by the Neapolitans), the Duke of Noto and the Duke of Castro signed an act of reconciliation at 5:30 p.m., at the Excelsior Hotel.

[The Beatification ceremony will take place today at 11:00 a.m., at the Basilica of Santa Chiara in Naples.]

Marlene A. Eilers Koenig Collection

On February 14, 1901, Infanta Maria de las Mercedes of Spain, Princess of Asturias, married her second cousin, Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two-Sicilies, nephew of the de jure King of the Two Sicilies. Carlo was elevated to the rank of Infant of Spain.

The marriage was not without controversy in Spain, as Carlo's father had strong ties to the conservative Carlist movement. But it was a marriage that was actively encouraged by Mercedes' mother, Queen Maria Cristina, and Infanta Isabel. Mercedes (1880-1904) held a unique position in Spain. Her father, King Alfonso XII's death in 1885 led to a succession crisis, as he had two young daughters, Mercedes, and Maria Teresa, and a young, pregnant widow, Queen Maria Cristina. If Queen Maria Cristina's third child was another daughter, Mercedes would succeed as Queen of Spain.

Marlene A. Eilers Koenig Collection

The Queen was safely delivered of a son, Alfonso XIII on May 17, 1886. Briefly on the cusp of becoming a child Queen, Mercedes remained Princess of Asturias, heiress presumptive, to the throne until her death.

Young Alfonso suffered from illness and a weak constitution, and many assumed he would not survive childhood. Mercedes' position - and her marriage - remained paramount. It was important that the young infanta marry another Borbon if she were to become queen.

Infanta Mercedes and her younger sister, Infanta Maria Teresa, were presented into society at a ball hosted by Queen Maria Cristina at the Royal Palace. The two infantas had grown up in a conservative and restrictive atmosphere with few friends outside the palace. It is not a surprise that Mercedes fell in love with Prince Carlo, who was a guest at the ball. He asked her to dance, and she melted.

Count of Caserta

Carlo and his brothers had moved to Spain in order to further their military careers and both he and his elder brother had distinguished themselves in Spanish military campaigns during the 1890s. The couple's engagement was announced on December 14, 1899. It was not welcomed with by Spanish liberals as Carlo's father, the Count of Caserta, had served as a chief of staff in the final Carlist war, when Carlist troops had looted the Spanish city of Cuenca.

Mercedes was perplexed by the criticism. "I am happy to marry him, but I am also upset at those who have created such a fuss and made mother suffer for this ... all because his father fought alongside Don Carlos. Is this fair?" she wrote to her Aunt Infanta Paz.

Although streets were closed off and vast troops deployed throughout the capital, there were no major disturbances on the couple's wedding day. The couple were married on Valentine's Day, 1900.

The new Infant of Spain, Don Carlo(s) (1870-1949) was the second son of Prince Alfonso, Count of Caserta (1841-1934) and his wife and first cousin, Princess Maria Antoinetta of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. In 1894, following the death of the former king, Francisco II, Alfonso became claimant to the Two-Sicilies throne, and his eldest son, Prince Ferdinando, who married Princess Maria Ludwiga of Bavaria, became the heir and received the title of Duke of Calabria.

As the Count of Caserta believed that there was a risk that the Two Sicilies claim should be forgotten if his son became Spanish King Consort, Don Carlo was asked to sign a declaration renouncing his eventual right of succession to the Two-Sicilies Crown in a text known as the Act of Cannes. This was hastily drawn up and signed on December 14, 1900 and was the catalyst leading to the division within the family.

Shortly before the document was signed, the Count of Caserta and Queen Maria Cristina, Regent for her minor son, had agreed that "the only renunciation necessary was the one of former nationality." The Act itself was "in execution of the Pragmatic Decree" of 1759 which required a renunciation only if the Crowns of Spain and the Two Sicilies were united in the same person, even then quite a distant possibility as Carlo's elder brother would have a son, Ruggiero (who died aged thirteen), and several daughters, all of whom had a prior right to the Spanish throne by right of their great-grandmother, a younger sister of Ferdinand VII of Spain. Misunderstandings over the effects of this document have clouded the succession ever since.

Mercedes and Carlo were the parents of three children: Alfonso (1901-1964), Fernando (1903-1905) and Isabel Alfonsa (1904-1961). The children bore the titles Prince or Princess of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, and were also each accorded the title Infant of Spain.

The Princess of Asturias was pregnant with her third child when she became ill in October 1904. She was suffering from appendicitis, which her doctors first diagnosed as stomach cramps. This led to peritonitis, and early labor. Mercedes gave birth prematurely to a daughter, on October 16, and died the following day.

Carlo would remain in Spain as his three children remained initially under the care of Queen Maria Cristina. A year later, young Fernando died. The elder son, Prince Alfonso, did not become Prince of Asturias, although he was the heir presumptive to the Spanish throne and as such "Infante Heredero" until May 10, 1907, when Queen Victoria Eugenia gave birth to a son, Alfonso. A year earlier, King Alfonso XIII had married Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

Don Carlo remained a widower for three years. In 1907, he married Princess Louise of Orléans, daughter of Prince Philippe, Count of Paris, whose mother was an Infanta and was herself created an Infanta at her marriage to Carlo. They had four children: Carlos (1908-1936), Maria de la Dolores (1909-1996), Maria de las Mercedes (1910-2000) and Maria de la Esperanza (1914-2005).

The middle daughter, Mercedes, would reaffirm the ties to the Spanish royal house, when in 1935, she married Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona, third son of King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenia. Their eldest son is King Juan Carlos of Spain, who remains close to his Two-Sicilies cousins.

The Count of Caserta, died on May 26, 1934, and he was succeeded as head of the house by his eldest son, Ferdinando Pio, who was the father of six children. Tragically, Prince Ruggiero, Duke of Noto, died young, in 1914 providing a second catalyst for a future succession battle.

Duke of Calabria (Ferdinando Pius)

After the death of Prince and Infante Don Carlo in 1949 there was a family disagreement; Carlo had helped his younger brother Ranieri financially and Infante Alfonso was unable to continue this support - his decision not do so, however, provoked a breach with his uncles, Ferdinand (Duke of Calabria and head of the House) and Ranieri. Ferdinand soon declared Ranieri his heir and after him the latter's son Ferdinand on the grounds that the Act of Cannes was a valid act of renunciation. Most of the junior Princes of the Two-Sicilies considered they should follow the wishes of the Duke of Calabria and recognized Prince Ranieri (1883-1973), Don Carlo's next brother, who took the title of Duke of Castro (an ancient title that had been inherited from the Farnese and had been used occasionally by King Francis II in exile).

Ranieri was the ninth child and fifth son of the Count and Countess of Caserta. He married his first cousin Countess Maria Carolina Zamoyska (whose mother was a Princess of the Two Sicilies and sister of the Countess of Caserta), and they had two children, Princess Maria de Carmen, and Prince Ferdinando, Duke of Castro. Prince Rainieri served briefly in the Spanish military.

Fast forward to January 7, 1960. The Duke of Calabria has died, and the Duke of Castro (Ranieri) is declared head of the House, and recognized as such by nearly all of the members of the Bourbon-Two-Sicilies family. Some other heads of royal families also acknowledged the Duke of Castro as heir, notably the Count of Paris, King Umberto II of Italy and the Duke of Bavaria and later the Duke of Württemberg, and the Head of the Imperial House of Brazil.

Duke and Duchess of Calabria (Prince Alfonso and Princess Alicia)

He would be challenged, however, for the position by his nephew, Prince and Infante Don Alfonso, Don Carlo's only surviving son. Infante Don Alfonso, Duke of Calabria, and his wife, Princess Alicia of Bourbon-Parma, whom he married in 1936, were the parents of two daughters, Princesses Teresa and Inés, and one son, Carlos (created an Infant of Spain by King Juan Carlos in 1994). Alfonso died in 1964, and was succeeded as Duke of Calabria by his only son. Alfonso and Carlos were recognized as successive heads of the Royal House of the Two Sicilies and Constantinian Grand Masters by the Count of Barcelona, the Duke of Segovia (ne Infante Don Jaime of Spain), the Duke of Parma, the Duke of Braganza and Prince Dom Pedro-Gastao of Orleans-Braganza. Later Archduke Otto recognized Alfonso's son Carlos, accepting from him the Order of Saint Januarius on the occasion of his 90th birthday, as did the Crown Prince of Yugoslavia. King Juan Carlos wrote in support of the Infante Don Alfonso's claim when some senior officers of the Constantinian Order accepted high ranks in the Order given by the Duke of Castro.

A year later, in May 1965, the young Duke of Calabria, married Princess Anne of Orléans, a daughter of the Count and Countess of Paris. They are the parents of four daughters, and one son, Prince Pedro, Duke of Noto.

The division between the two branches has been at times nasty with friends and members of other European royal families forced to take sides.

Duke of Castro (Carlo)

Prince Ranieri died on September 13, 1973, and was succeeded by his only son, Ferdinando, Duke of Castro (1926-2008.) Ferdinando and his wife, Chantal de Chevron-Vilette, had three children: Beatrice, former wife of Prince Charles Napoleon (and mother of the present Prince Napoleon), Anne and Carlo, Duke of Castro (1963).

The Duchess of Castro with Princesses Maria Carolina, Duchess of Palermo and Maria Chiara, Duchess of Capri

On March 20, 2008, Prince Carlo, Duke of Castro, succeeded to his father's titles. He has been married to Italian heiress Camilla Crociani since 1998. They live in Monaco with their two young daughters, Princesses Maria Carolina (2003) and Maria Chiara (2003). The Duke and Duchess of Castro are close friends with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Denmark and he is one of the God parents of the Crown Prince's younger daughter, Princess Josephine. He is also a Godfather of Prince Gaston of Orléans, whose father, Prince Jean, Duke of Vendome, is a first cousin of Prince Pedro, Duke of Noto (1968), only son of the Duke and Duchess of Calabria.

Duke of Calabria (Carlos) & his eldest son, Pedro, Duke of Noto

The Duke of Noto has been married since 2001 to Sofia Landaluce y Melgarejo. They have six children, four sons and two daughters. Their eldest, Prince Jaime, Duke of Capua (born in 1993) was legitimated by his parents' marriage.

Such intertwined connections has led to further tension even among Prince Pedro's cousins. Settling family disputes, especially one that had its origins more than a century ago, can be tricky, and in the history of Europe's royal families have never before been settled by mutual agreement between members of the family.

The Duke of Noto and the Duke of Castro were determined to change this and in act of considerable courage the two families, close in age and with young children, decided to set aside past differences. Negotiations proceeded over a year, with a senior member of the Infante Don Carlos's Constantinian Order asked to assist in this process. These led to two meetings between the families (in Paris and Madrid) and an agreement was drawn up.

The signing of the act of reconciliation was done privately. The Duchesses of Noto and Castro were also present for the ceremony, as well as the Duke of Noto's mother, the Duchess of Calabria, the Duke of Noto's sisters, Maria and Inés, and their husbands, Archduke Simeon and Michele Carrelli Palombi, their aunt, Princess Teresa, Marquesa de Laserma, the Duke of Castro's sister, Princess Napoleon, Prince Casimiro of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and his wife Princess Margherita, and the Duke of Braganza.

The Infante Don Carlos, Duke of Calabria, 76, is not well, and could not be present for the ceremony.

The two families will recognize each other's titles, and the Duke and Duchess of Castro's two daughters have received the titles of Duchess of Palermo and Duchess of Capri.

At future occasions connected with the dynasty, the family members attending will represent the whole family and the heads of each branch will be considered equal, sharing their historic responsibilities. The whole family is determined not to reignite the dispute and instead to work together in a spirit of unity for the common good, in a spirit of Christian reconciliation inspired by the aims of the Constantinian Order.

Duke of Noto

Succession to the throne is largely a moot point, and it is expected that the shared headship will continue through the lifetimes of the Dukes of Noto and Castro. In the Calabria nor the Duke of Castro (who has only daughters) will need to relinquish their positions as head of the family. Prince Jaime, an engineering student, is learning Italian, and will become more involved in the Constantinian Order as will other members of the royal family.

Prince Jaime, Duke of Capua

This is a major achievement for the Dukes of Castro and Noto. They will now work together to unite the Constantinian Order and the administrations of the Two Sicilies Orders of St. Januarius and Francis I.

[All but the first two photographs were provided to me privately for the use in this news story.]

Princess Alice of Albany has chosen to wear a wedding gown made in London instead of "one dumped into Great Britain by some foreign dressmaker," reports the New York Times.

The Princess will marry Prince Alexander of Teck on February 10 at St. George's Chapel at Windsor.

The gown will be of "exquisitely soft satin, so fine as to resemble crepe de chene, and its beauty will be enhanced with lovely embroideries and lace."

Her "magnificent veil of Honiton lace," with a design including a rose, shamrock and thistle," was worn by the Duchess of Teck and by her only daughter, the Princess of Wales.
at their weddings.

The bridesmaids will be dressed in pale-blue crepe de chine "trimmed with lace and the "grown-up Princesses will be girdled with waist belts of silver"

Princess Alice's "traveling dress" has been made in Stuttgart, and as "royal brides always wear white traveling costumes," this particular garment will also be white with some "touches of gold passementerie."

The wedding between Princess Alice and Prince Alexander will be "one of the most brilliant events of its kind in recent years."

Princess Alice is the daughter of the late Duke of Albany and the Duchess of Albany. The Duke was the youngest son of Queen Victoria. He died in 1884. The Duchess of Albany was Princess Helen of Waldeck und Pyrmont.

Among the guests expected to attend the wedding will be the King and Queen of Württemberg, the Queen Dowager of the Netherlands (the Duchess of Albany's sister) and the Prince and Princess of Wied.

Most of the royal guests will stay at Windsor Castle as "the guests of King Edward and Queen Alexandra." Others will "be the guests of the Prince and Princess of Wales at Frogmore."

Princess Alice will be driven to St.George's Chapel, accompanied by her brother, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. They will be met at the door by King Edward who will "give her away."

The bride will have five royal bridesmaids: Princesses Margaret and Patricia of Connaght, Princess Victoria of Wales, Princess Mary of Teck, and the "little princess of Waldeck, a first cousin of the bride."

The Archbishop of Canterbury will be officiating at the wedding.

After the wedding the newlyweds will spend a few days at Brocket Hall, the home of Lord Mount Stephens, and then travel to Cannes and stay at the Villa Livada, which the Duchess of Albany "inherited from Miss Percival."

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Princess Maria Margarita of Borbon-Two-Sicilies died at Madrid on January 15. She was 79 years old.

The Princess was the third child of Prince Gabriel of Borbon-Two-Sicilies and his second wife, Princess Cecilia Lumbomirska.

She married Don Luis Gonzaga Maldonado y Gordon on June 11, 1962.

Princess Isabelle of Bourbon-Parma, the only child of Prince Sixte of Bourbon-Parma (1886-1934)and Countess Hedwig de la Rochefoucauld. Princess Isabelle Marie Antoinette Louise Hedwige was born on March 14, 1922 at Paris. In June 1943, she married Count Rodger de la Rochefoucauld. They were divorce in 1966. He was killed in a plane crash in 1970.

She died earlier this month, perhaps, Paris. She is survived by four of her five sons, Sixte Hughes, Charles and Robert, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mrs Michael Tindall today safely delivered a baby girl at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. Mr Tindall was present at the birth. The weight of the baby was 7lbs 12oz.
The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal, Captain Mark Phillips and Mike’s parents, Mr Phillip and Mrs Linda Tindall, have been informed and are delighted with the news. The baby’s name will be confirmed in due course.
This baby is the first child for Zara and Mike, the third grandchild for The Princess Royal and the fourth great-grandchild for The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, and is 16th line to the Throne.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Okay ... but I will blame the sloppy reporters at the Guardian for describing Archduke Karl as "a descendant of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in Sarajevo triggered the first world war."

Mr H.J.A.S. Wilson and Princess Maria Theresia von Thurn und Taxis

The engagement is announced between Hugo, son of Mr Kenneth Wilson, of East
Chisenbury, Wiltshire, and Mrs Diana Wilson, of Battersea, London, and Maria
Theresia, eldest daughter of.Gloria, Princess von Thurn und Taxis, of Schloss
St Emmeram, Regensburg, Germany.

The engagement announcement appears in January 16th's Daily Telegraph and The Times. Princess Maria Theresia's father, the late Prince of Thurn und Taxis, was not named in the announcement.

Princess Maria Theresia Ludowika Klothilde Helene Alexandra of Thurn and Taxis was born November 28, 1980 at Regensburg, Germany, the eldest of three children of the late Johannes Prince of Thurn and Taxis and his wife, Gloria.

The new engaged couple share a passion for art. Hugo Wilson, who was born in 1982, is a noted artist.

When a reporter from Bunte, the German magazine, called Princess Maria Theresia's mother, Princess Gloria, she refused to comment on the engagement announcement. d

In 2010, Maria Theresia received a MA in Fine Art from the City and Guilds of London Art School.

The date of the wedding is not known. It is possible that the wedding will take place at Regensburg.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Due to Empress Auguste Viktoria's "slow recovery" from ill health, the program for the "season's Court festivities has not been drawn up."

The great Court, usually held in mid-January, in the Hall of Knights in the Berlin Schloss, "has been abandoned," reports the New York Times.

The Empress has been "forbidden all exertion by her doctors, and it is hope that she will be "strong enough" to attend the Emperor's birthday celebration on January 27. Several balls and receptions will be held, ending with the Mardi Gras ball on February 22.

The King of Saxony, and two Saxon princes, the King of Württemberg, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine and the Hereditary Prince and Princess of Baden, are among the expected guests for Wilhelm II's birthday fetes.

The Duke of Orléans was considering seeking a divorce, according to the Allgemeine Zeitung, a Viennese newspaper, and had "petitioned the Curia for a dispensation" to allow him to marry the "daughter of a great Austrian noble."

In his petition, the Duke urged a nullification of his marriage "on the ground that he was forced into the union." He married Archduchess Marie Dorothea of Austria in 1898.

This claim has caused "a great sensation in court circles," and the Duke, pretender to the French throne," was "severely condemned" for his remarks.

The Duke wanted to divorce his wife, but Austrian emperor Franz Josef personally intervened, and the "differences of the couple were adjusted." The Duke withdrew his petition to the Curia.

The woman whom the Duke of Orléans wished to marry is said to be Princess Clémentine, daughter Princess Pauline of Metternich-Sandor.

Juan Gomez-Acebo y de Borbon, eldest son of the Infanta Pilar of Spain, has married Winston Holmes Carney, the mother of his infant son, Nicolas, born last April. The couple were married on January 2 at the Spanish consulate in Miami, Florida.

Prince Felix and Princess Claire of Luxembourg expect their first child in June.

THE MARSHALL OF THE COURT’S OFFICE ANNOUNCES:
Their Royal Highnesses The Grand-Duke and Grand-Duchess of Luxembourg are very pleased to announce that Prince Félix and Princess Claire are expecting Their first baby.

The birth is expected to take place in June.

The Grand-Duke, The Grand-Duchess, Grand-Duke Jean and the members of the Royal Family, as well as the members of the Lademacher family, are delighted with the news.

The Duke and Duchess of Orleans have decided to "withdraw from the courts the suit started by the Duchess for separation, alimony," and the restitution of money she had given to her husband, reports the New York Times.

The Duke and Duchess wish to avoid further scandal - and the cost of proceedings -- by agreeing to meet "submit to arbitrators" to answer questions about their property and how much money the Duke "should allow his wife after separation.

There has been great interest in the case, as the Duke is the pretender to the French throne. He married Archduchess Marie Dorothea of Austria in 1896.

Archduke Karl of Austria's children "will not complain of the trammels of etiquette, which usually render the lives of children of the House of Habsburg miserable," according to dispatch sent from Vienna to the London Daily Mail.

Archduke Otto, the only son of Archduke Karl, heir to the Austrian throne, and his wife Archduchess Zita, is "often take out by his parents in a motor car, the perambulator being packed at the back of the car."

When the young parents drive out into the country, they take the baby carriage from the back of car," and wheel young Otto around themselves without the assistance of a nanny or governess.

The New York Times is reporting from St. Petersburg that Empress Alexandra is "suffering from a slight attack of influenza." Her condition does not "give rise to anxiety."

Empress Alexandra's first cousin, Kaiser Wilhelm is "still troubled a good deal by his throat," reports the New York Times. By the end of the day, his voice "is weak," and he is undergoing treatment to "remove his hoarseness."

His doctors are insisting that he travel "south for rest and change."

It is also being reported that the Kaiser's sister, Princess Charlotte of Saxe-Meiningen is "suffering from a malignant disease." She underwent an operation several months ago, and her condition has only recently "slightly improved.

Belgian journalist, Reinout Goddyn, reported over the weekend on the Belgian program, Royalty, that Prince Amedeo, eldest son of Princess Astrid of the Belgians, is expected to announce his engagement to Italian Lili Rosboch von Wolkenstein sometime in 2014.

Goddyn said: "Sooner or later they will announce an engagement. Amedeo is likely to first finish his studies in New York."

The couple live together in New York City, and have been dating for about seven years. "Amedeo and Lili have hidden themselves good years for the press, until now. This is a signal to us that they are sure of each other," said Goddyn, whose report is based on a "reliable source."

London, 13 January 2014 – A memorial service for HRH
Princess Margarita of Baden formerly married to HRH Prince Tomislav (brother of
HM King Peter II) took place yesterday in the Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint
Sava in London.

The memorial service was officiated by the Reverend Fathers
Goran Spaic, Milun Kostic, Djordje Cekerovac and Dragan Lazic in the Serbian
Orthodox Church of Saint Sava in London.

HRH Princess Margarita of Baden’s funeral took place 24
January 2013 and was attended by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (uncle of HRH
Princess Margarita), HM Queen Anna Marie of the Hellenes, HRH Princess Sarvath
of Jordan and her two daughters, Prince Max and Princess Valerie of Baden,
Prince Ludwig and Princess Marianne ( Mandi) of Baden, Prince Bernhard of Baden and
Princess Stephanie, Prince Leopold of Baden, Prince Michael of Baden, Prince
Berthold of Baden, Princess Marie Louse of Baden, His Excellency Dr Popovic,
Ambassador of Serbia.

HRH Princess Margarita of Baden was a niece of the Duke of
Edinburgh and was married HRH Prince Tomislav. Princess Margarita was born at
Salem, Germany on July 14 1932, the eldest of three children of Prince
Berthold, Margrave of Baden, and his wife, Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark,
a sister of the Duke Edinburgh. Princess Margarita’s father was head of the
grand ducal House of Baden and the son of Margrave Max of Baden, who was
imperial chancellor of Germany in 1918. It was in London that Princess
Margarita met her future husband, Prince Tomislav the second son of King
Alexander I, and Queen Maria. The Prince and Princess were married in Schloss
Salem, Germany 5 June 1957. HRH Prince Philip attended the wedding, with his
mother, Princess Alice. King Simeon of Bulgaria, the Duke of Edinburgh were
witnesses at the Serbian Orthodox service and in the presence of HM King Peter
II. The Prince and Princess lived in England and had two children, Prince
Nicolas, born in 1958, and Princess Katarina, born in 1959, who later was
married for some years to Desmond de Silva, QC, PC. Prince Tomislav and
Princess Margarita divorced in 1981. Prince Tomislav returned to Serbia in 1991
and died in 2000 in Oplenac and is buried in the crypt of St. George′s Church
the Mausoleum of the Royal Family.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Exclusive: Prince Philip Karageorgevitch reveals his life plans for "Novosti"

By Marko Lopusina

I will come to live in Serbia!

History obliges us Karageorgevitch to be with our people. I would like to get married, with a Serbian woman if possible

Young Princes Peter and Philip Karageorgevitch spent Christmas holidays with their family, Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine at the Royal Palace in Belgrade. While Hereditary Prince Peter, heir to the Serbian Crown, came from London with his girlfriend, younger Prince Philip came alone this time. When we conveyed a wish of citizens of Serbia to young Princes that they should come to live to Serbia and to get married, Philip Karageorgevitch said sincerely that the first wish was realistic.

"I am certain I would come to Belgrade for good one day. I am still young and I need to get more professional experience, build a successful career and have a financial backup. There are many business possibilities here and for activities of our family," Prince Philip is quite sure.

"History obliges us Karageorgevitch's to be with our people, and I would come back to Serbia for good for sure. Regarding my second wish of our people, I would like to get married, to a Serbian woman if possible."

Philip Karageorgevitch was born in the United States of America on 15 January 1982 to his parents Crown Prince Alexander and Princess Maria da Gloria of Orleans and Bragança. He grew up in London. He graduated from The King's School Canterbury in England, obtained a degree in humanistic science from a famous British University and participated in a programme at a Spanish University in Madrid. He speaks English, Spanish and French, and is continuing his Serbian studies. He says that 2013 was a turning point in his life.

"I moved from Cyprus to London, where I got a job at a very respectful financial company. It was a historic year, when we as a family have fulfilled a legacy of King Peter and buried our ancestors at the Royal Mausoleum in Oplenac. It was very an emotional moment for me. I felt more than ever before at that moment that I belonged to the Serbian people and to Serbia, and I will come to Serbia much more often now that I have been living in London," says Prince Philip.

His elder brother Peter also lives in London, while his twin brother Alexander lives in Spain. They are very close and they are always in touch with each other. As Prince Philip says, his brothers are his best friends. Philip has very close relationships with cousins from the British Royal Family in London, and he has been ranked 95th in line to British Throne.

"That list of heirs to the British Throne is very long one, and we Karageorgevitchs are moved one place below on that list. We have a wonderful relationships with the British Royal Family. Queen Elizabeth is the godmother of my father, and Prince Charles is my father's best friend. I meet with Princes William and Harry occasionally. They are extraordinary young people, very intelligent, interesting and communicative, Philip says. I know Prince William and Princess Kate, but we do not socialize. We have common friends, and I think they are also wonderful people."

Prince Philip spent many hours during the Christmas holidays talking with his father Crown Prince Alexander about situation in Serbia.

"It is constant and important topic of our conversations. We spoke about the family as well, which is numerous and big, but also about our mutual interests for culture. Most often about movies, because we both love them. We have a similar taste. My father and I speak openly, as best friends", reveals Philip Karageorgevitch.

The young Prince has very good relationships with his mother, Princess Maria da Gloria, who lives in Spain.

"I do not see my mother very often, maybe three times a year, but we are communicate all the time. I love to visit Seville, because I grew up there, and I have very good relationships with Spanish Royal Family. I have god relations with Brazilian Royal Family, and I have around twenty close relatives in Brazil. I would like to visit Brazil during the world football championships. I am fan of Arsenal and I would like that Nemanja Vidic moves to London. The second coach in Arsenal is a Serbian guy, so Nemanja would make my team stronger," says Prince Philip with a smile.

Slender and always wearing a smile, young Serbian Prince is an attractive fellow. He is into sports. He likes skateboarding, diving, and simply loves Kopaonik. He is interested in painting, music, computers and natural sciences. Prince Philip was named one of 10 most attractive young Princes in the world last year in the United Kingdom.

"I was pleased with that title, but truly, it is not that important to me. It is important that my brothers and I improve our reputation with Serbian people, which is not so good, all around the world by what we do. It is a fact that just few people make decisions about the reputation of a country and their people, so millions of people do not know much about Serbia, and cannot see the good things. I meet many successful, prominent, warm and wonderful Serbs all around the world, like Novak Djokovic, who create a good image for Serbia in the world. I do my best to contribute to that," says Philip Karageorgevitch.

Before he left for London because of professional obligations, young Prince complained to us that he would not have enough time due to business obligations to organize a ball for his birthday on January 15. He will celebrate his 31st birthday with friends having a drink. When we asked about his plans for 2014, Prince Philip frankly said: "I do not have concrete plans, because of lot of professional obligations, and I do not like to plan much in advance. I know for sure I will be with my family in Serbia for the marking of centennial anniversary of the beginning of WWI."

Belgrade is much like London

"My social life is very interesting, because I grew up in London, a big and beautiful city. London has vibes and a good atmosphere, and that is much like the ones in Belgrade, where I always have a very good time."

Enjoying art

Philip Karageorgevitch reveals that he has no intentions to be a banker.

"I work as human resources professional in finance. In my own time I am very much interested in arts, I read a lot and visit most famous world museums", says Philip. "Belgrade museum is very interesting, and our Royal art collection is exceptional. But I think that Spanish Prada is the best museum in the world"

"Tatiana von Preussen graduated in architecture at Cambridge University and Columbia University, where she was awarded the New York Society of Architects Award. She worked previously for Field Operations, in New York, on the construction of The High Line park and, in London, at Stanton Williams Architects and Stephen Taylor Architects. She was a partner of the New York based research and fabrication group, Gleamlab. She taught third year studio at Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture with Jeffrey Inaba, where she also taught Advanced Drawing and Representation. She has acted as a critic at Columbia, Pratt, Cooper Union and Cambridge University. She is currently teaching Intermediate Studio 7 at the Architectural Association with Maria Fedorchenko."

Mr. Womack is the author of several critically acclaimed books, including The Liberators.

Princess Elisabeth of Greece and Count Carl Theodor of Toerring-Jettenbach were married today in a Roman Catholic service in the chapel at Schlosss Seefeld, reports the Associated Press.

The couple were married yesterday in a civil ceremony in Munich.

The bride is the daughter of Prince and Princess Nicholas of Greece and the groom is the son of the late Count Hans-Veit of Toerring-Jettenbach and his wife, Sophie, Duchess in Bavaria. Princess Elisabeth's mother was born Grand Duchess Helen Vladimirovna of Russia.

The bride, 29, is said to be a "noted beauty," and related to "many royal families. Her older sister, Olga, is married to Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, a first cousin of King Alexander.

Crown Prince Umberto of Italy, King George II of the Hellenes, Crown Princess Cecilie of Prussia and Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria, were among the titled guests at the church wedding.

The 32-year-old groom is a member of "one of the oldest and wealthiest" Bavarian noble families. The Count's mother, Sophie, is a sister of Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians.

Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo have already tied the knot, legally, in a civil ceremony in Monaco. The civil wedding legitimated their son, Sacha, and he is now third in line to the Monegasque throne.

Five months after their August 31 civil wedding in Monaco, the couple will have a religious wedding, a Roman Catholic ceremony on February 1 in Gstaad, Switzerland. The ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m., at St. Nicholas de Myre. There is a Protestant church with this name in Rougemont, Switzerland, not far from Gstaad. There is also a St. Nicholas Chapelle, at Le Rosey in Gstaad.

Tatiana attended Le Rosey, the most expensive boarding school in the world. The winter campus is located in Gstaad.

The celebrations will take place, according to one article, over a three day period. The first, a fondue party at 8 p.m., on January 31 at the , will be held at the Berghaus Eggli, a world renown restaurant located in the mountains above Gstaad. The final event will be a brunch on February 2nd at 2 p.m. at Gstaad's Palace Hotel.

Hola, the weekly Spanish magazine, is reporting that the church wedding may take place on January 31 at St. Josef's, a Roman Catholic church in Gstaad.

None of this has yet been confirmed by the Princely Palace or Princess Caroline's office.

More details concerning the upcoming wedding of Theresa von Einsiedel and Prince Francois d'Orléans were made public earlier today by the groom's mother, Princess Beatrice, who lives in Spain.

She spoke to a reporter from ABC, a daily newspaper, and said the wedding will take place this coming summer outside Munich. (Speculation is that Schloss Niederaichbach, which belongs to the bride's maternal uncle, Prince Inigo) will be where the wedding takes place.

The Countess of Evreux, who has lived in Spain for more than thirty years, is very happy about the engagement. She said Francois and Theresa met three years ago at ball in Vienna given by Princess Marie of Liechtenstein, one of Francois' many first paternal cousins. Marie is the daughter of the Count of Paris and his first wife, Duchess Marie Therese of Württemberg, and is married to Prince Gundakar of Liechtenstein.

Beatrice describes Theresa as "Ideal. She is like a daughter to me. Her family comes from ancient Saxony, and she is like a delicate porcelain figurine from Saxony."

Next week, Princess Beatrice, who has lived apart for many from her husband, Prince Michel, will travel to Germany to help prepare for the wedding.

The wedding will take place during the summer holidays, allowing for Francois' oldest sister, Princess Clothilde, who lives in Florida, with her husband and family, to "celebrate the family reunion," said Princess Beatrice.

The couple will be married in the Roman Catholic church. "Theresa is very religious and faithful, which is very important for the House of Orleans. "

Prince Francois has a much lower profile than his older brother, Prince Charles-Philippe, Duke of Anjou, who is married to Diana Álvares Pereira de Melo, Duchess of Cadaval.

Francois and his siblings grew up in Spain. He studied at the College of the Sister;s of Saint-Chamond and at the French school in Madrid. The final years of his secondary education (high school) were spent at an English Benedictine boarding school

Francois studied landscape design with his cousin, Princess Victoria of Bourbon-Two-Sicilies in Madrid, and then moved to Paris, where he worked with landscape designer Louis Benech, where they worked on the restoration of the gardens at the Tuileries. Today, Prince Francois runs his own landscape design company in Paris, where he and Theresa will live after the wedding.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

It's official. A dispatch from Coburg to the Los Angeles Times states that the Grand Duke of Hesse and By Rhine is "formally betrothed" to his first cousin, Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Princess Elisabeth of Greece and Count Carl Theodor of Toerring-Jettenbach were married today in a civil ceremony at Schloss Seefeld, near Munich, reports the Chicago Tribune.

The bride is the daughter of Prince and Princess Nicholas of Greece, and her husband, a member of one of Germany's oldest noble families, is the nephew of Queen Elisabeth of Bavaria,

The wedding guests included King Carol II of Romania, former King George II of the Hellenes, former Crown Princess Cecilie of Germany, Crown Prince Umberto and Crown Princess Marie José of Italy, and Prince and Princess Paul of Yugoslavia. Princess Paul is the bride's elder sister, Princess Olga.

The Grand Duke of Saxe-Altenburg announced today that he will "give an audience" to his subjects on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until noon, reports the New York Times. Those who wish to be "received by the Grand Duke" must send their names to the Court Marshal in advance.

The Grand Duke is not the first German sovereign to meet and greet his subjects. A "considerable flutter was caused" when the Regent of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach "adopted public audience days."

Germany's "older aristocracy" has not approved of such modern ideas, as they feel it diminishes the "dignity of the Sovereign," and a move "toward republicanism."

Theresa von Einsiedel has revealed further details about her engagement and upcoming wedding to Prince Francois d'Orléans in an interview with the German magazine, Bunte.

The proposal was made when the two were on vacation in Marbella. "While mountain climbing in Marbella he asked me on the summit the question of questions, " said Miss von Einsiedel. One important detail was left out, she admitted. "He did not have a ring with him."

The wedding will take place in the summer. Miss von Einsiedel, 29, will give up job with the "prestigious" PR firm, Schoeller & von Rehlinger in Munich as Theresa said: "life with him is more important than a career ... After the wedding, I'll move with Francois to France."

This is not an arranged marriage, but a real love match. The couple met three years ago in Vienna through mutual friends, where Theresa was studying media education.

"At the moment, we converse in English. I am going to learn French," the bride-to-be said.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

The Associated Press is reporting that Lord Plunkett, a "tall and handsome captain in the Irish Guards," arrived today as the "house guest" of Princess Margaret and her mother at the Royal Lodge, near Windsor Castle.

The visit of the "fair haired 30 year-old peer" has caught the attention of the London's "Mayfair set," but the 23-year-old Princess Margaret has "kept them guessing before."

Princess Margrethe, mother of Princess Anne of Bourbon-Parma, told a Danish newspaper today that her daughter and King Michael of Romania may move to the United States "immediately after" their wedding, reports the Associated Press.

The Princess said: "We do not live in the medieval any more. They are modern young people and they might want to settle in America."

Princess Anne and her parents will leave for Lausanne, Switzerland, tomorrow, to meet with Michael, who was recently forced to leave his country by the Communist authorities.

Guests have begun to arrive in Munich for the wedding of Count Carl Theodor zu Toerring-Jettenbach to Princess Elisabeth of Greece, reports the Associated Press.

King George II of the Hellenes, "with his entourage," was among the "early arrivals. The former German Crown Prince and Crown Princess are also expected to attend the wedding.

Princess Elisabeth is the middle daughter of Prince and Princess Nicholas of Greece. Her older sister, Olga, is the wife of Prince Paul of Yugoslavia. Her younger sister, Princess Marina, is unmarried.

The civil marriage will take place tomorrow in Munich, and the religious service is scheduled for January 10 at Schloss Seefeld.

Kaiser Wilhelm II will become a grandfather in February, when his daughter, Viktoria Luise, the Duchess of Brunswick-Lüneburg, is expected to give birth to her first child, reports the Los Angeles Times.

The Duchess' mother, Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria, has been busy "purchasing clothes for the new arrival."

The impending birth will result in a "reconciliation" between the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and his brother-in-law, Crown Prince Wilhelm, who have been "estranged" since the "Brunswick accession" last fall.

Now available for purchase: a well-researched, footnoted article on the life of Grand Duke Michael Mikahilovich of Russia, whose marriage to Countess Sophie von Merenberg was unequal, but a love match. I wrote this piece some years ago for Royalty Digest, and now again available. The price is $5.00 (and will be sent to you as a PDF). Just click on the Buy Now link for purchase. Thanks.

The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins

My article, The Gleichens: the Unknown Royal Cousins, is now available through Kindle on Amazon, in all the Amazons' Kindle stores. This link is for US Amazon. The price is $9.99. Just visit your Amazon and go to the Kindle store, search for my article. The article runs more than 50 pages! And who were the Gleichens: Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg (nephew of Queen Victoria) and his family. His marriage to Lady Laura Seymour was considered unequal, and his wife and children were created Countesses and Count Gleichen. A German title but very English people .... Feodora, Edward, Valda and Helena .. all talented and interesting people. True junior royals.

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The sources consulted for this blog include the New York Times, the Chicago Daily Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the Associated Press, the Washington Post, and The Times. I also consult books and other materials in my personal library. All the photos come from my personal collection, unless other noted.